Self-condensing steam turbine

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new method of generating mechanical power by means of pumping boiling liquid through heated pipes, and thus converting heat into kintic energy, which is then recovered in Pelton type turbine. Several methods of converting heat into mechanical energy by means of such low speed liquid turbines are given.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The first working steam engine was built by T. Newcomen and J.Cowley, who applied water on the outside of the cylinder to condense thesteam inside the cylinder. It was patented in 1705 and built in 1711 topump water out of the mine. But it was James Watt who in 1765 patented asteam engine which condensed the steam outside the engine cylinder. Hethen built in 1782 a steam engine with double action piston. It wasLaval who first utilized kinetic energy of steam to build a workablesteam turbine, which was improved to operate at a lower and usable speedby Ch. Parson in 1884. However, the conversion of kinetic energy ofwater was done effectively already around the year of 1870, by means ofwhat it is now called the Pelton wheel. The Pelton wheel foundapplication in the now common automotive torque converter. The torqueconverter has a sort of an impeller, which when rotated by thecombustion engine, throws the fluid inside the converter against theblades of a turbine, which is in effect a Pelton wheel mounted on aseparate shaft inside the other half of the converter. It is the pumpimpeller action and the Pelton wheel effects which I have used to designthe law speed self-condensing steam water turbine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] My invention is based on the utilization of the force generatedby a boiling liquid, which can be commuted into kinetic energy, whenallowed to expand together with bulk of the liquid. The high velocityjet of the liquid can then be made to strike the vanes of Pelton-likewheel to generate mechanical power. Such a system may double theefficiency of present power generation. The easiest way to build such anengine, to prove my idea was to utilize an automotive torque converter.To the torque converter I added heat exchanger tubes, formed in such apattern that allows liquid in the torque converter flow out at theperiphery, agitated by the turbine wheel, which when turned, acts as animpeller, and then return to the torque converter pump side. As a sourceof heat propane gas was used with the aid of a special burner. Abouttwenty such heat exchanger tubes were attached by welding in specialholes drilled, see FIG. 1. To start such an engine, The turbine rotor ismade to rotate at suitable speed by a motor driven by a source ofexternal power, which can be DC batteries. The starting motor isdisengaged, once the engine generates its own power.

[0003] Another way of building such a self-condensing steam turbine isto utilize two torque converters, which are interconnected with straightbeat exchanger tubes as shown on FIG. 2. Many kinds of liquid can beused in the torque converters, which should have lubricating properties.It is felt that water can be satisfactory, special additives, such assoluble vegetable oils can provide adequate lubrication. In my trials Ihave used Canola oil with some transmission fluid. Power generatingengines such as shown on FIGS. 1 & 2 should find application where powerrequirements are in the order of around 100 HP. Larger units might bedifficult to build, mainly because the torque converters, with the heatexchanger tubes mounted on it, have to turn at 1800 RPM to 3600 RPM.Such speeds, increase the overall heat transfer coefficients severaltimes, but are prohibitive bigger engines. This problem can be overcomeby the use of pumps to make the liquid flow through heat exchangerpipes. As the liquid starts to boil it will commute its energy to thebulk of the liquid, which can then be lead to strike the vanes of thePelton turbine, FIG. 3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of an automotive torque converterwith a hairpin shaped heat exchanger tubes attached. The entire systemis inserted into a drum, which has a combustible gas burner attached.

[0005]FIG. 2 shows how two automotive torque converters areinterconnected with heat exchanger tubes to increase the HP of powergeneration.

[0006]FIG. 3 is an arrangement for a large power generating system,which can one or several pumps to push liquid through beat exchanger togenerate high velocity jets, which are then fed to Pelton type turbines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0007] As mentioned in the summary and shown on FIG. 1 the easiest wayto put my invention to work is to utilize automotive torque converter.This is done by adding beat exchanger tubes 5, bent in a hairpin shape,in such a way that when installed on the torque converter 1, rotation ofthe turbine wheel 2 by means of a starting motor (not shown on thedrawing) will make the turbine wheel act like an impeller and push theliquid in the torque converter out into the heat exchanger tubes 10, andthe liquid in the tubes, exposed to the hot combusted gases will startto boil. The vapor will commute its energy into kinetic energy of thebulk of the liquid, which will then strike vanes 3 attached to the bodyof the torque converter. The stream of the liquid will then strike theturbine 3. As the torque converter gains speed the starting motor isdisconnected.

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a self-condensing turbine with two automotive torqueconverters. The second torque converter 11 has a counter clockwiserotation, which is opposite to the normally used torque converter 1 witha clockwise rotation. The use of two torque converters allows biggerheat exchangers to be built, and therefore much greater capacity i.e.HP. The system shown on FIG. 3 is applicable for stationary electricpower generation of much greater capacity. It consists of a pump 12,which pumps liquid such as water through heat exchanger 13, where vaporis commuted into kinetic energy of the bulk of the stream, which then isconverted into mechanical energy upon striking the vanes of the Peltonwheel.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of converting heat energy into mechanicalenergy by means of pumping liquid at its boiling temperature throughpipes, which are being heated so as to make the liquid boil, causingbulk of the liquid to flow faster and thus commuting the heat energyinto kinetic energy, which then generates mechanical energy, when thesaid liquid is made to strike blades in a Pelton type turbine.
 2. Amethod of converting heat energy into mechanical energy by means ofpumping liquid at its boiling temperature through a heat exchanger pipeas in claim 1, but the pumping action is generated by the turbine of anautomotive torque converter, and the said liquid is made renter the saidtorque converter on the impeller side of the said converter, at agreater velocity, imparted to it by the boiling process, and the saidliquid is made to strike again the said turbine to generate power.
 3. Amethod of converting heat into mechanical energy in a similar way as inclaim 2, but when two said automotive torque converters are used, havingopposite rotation, and interconnected with straight heat exchangertubes, circulating said liquid from one said torque converter to anotherwith the aid of the heat energy transfered through the wall of the tube.